Multi-vehicle smash in hailstorm near Carnforth

A sudden hailstorm is believed to have caused a multi-vehicle crash on the M6 which has blocked the motorway.

The M6 northbound and southbound between junction 35 Carnforth and 36 Kirkby Lonsdale are affected, with one lane closed southbound and two lanes closed northbound.

Up to 13 vehicles including two vans and 11 cars are believed to have been involved in two crashes on either side of the motorway, said Highways England.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “There has been a multi-vehicle incident involving cars running into each other during a sudden hailstorm. At around 9.20am on Tuesday one car hit the central reservation southbound and on the other side of the carriageway at the same time, due to the hailstorm, multiple vehicles were involved in a crash. The accidents happened at exactly the same spot within 100 yards of each other.

“The lanes that were closed today are due to reopen after two damaged vehicles have been removed by traffic officers.

“Luckily there are no serious injuries.”

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: “Police were called at 9.22am to an accident northbound on the M6 at Crooklands, where a silver BMW had overturned. A 49-year-old man from Manchester was treated for minor injuries.

“At the same time there was a collision southbound involving multiple vehicles. Two passengers in a black Peugeot 3008 were taken to hospital with minor injuries.”